Choking

Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and all of Arizona

Choking and suffocation continue to be leading causes of death in nursing
homes. Many patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other
cognitive impairments cannot eat safely on their own. For these patients,
nursing home personnel must assist them while they eat to ensure that
they do not put too much food in their mouth at one time and that they
swallow properly. Despite federal requirements that nursing homes maintain
adequate staff, many impaired residents do not get the assistance they need.

The same goes for suffocation. Immobile or cognitively impaired patients
and patients requiring supplemental oxygen need special assistance to
ensure these patients do not get their heads stuck between bed rails or
entangled in other restraining devices. Oxygen tubes must be kept free
from obstructions. Patients who have tracheostomies need care that their
trachea is not accidentally pulled out by the patient, other patients
or incompetent employees.

If you or a loved one has choked, or if a loved one has suffocated in a
nursing home, you should
contact an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorney immediately.

Common Causes of Choking and Suffocation in Nursing Homes

Lack of assistance while eating or drinking – Residents whose comprehensive assessments indicate that they are
not capable of eating or drinking safely on their own must have assistance.

Entanglement – Cognitively impaired or otherwise disabled residents can easily
get tangled in restraints or garments, get their head caught between bed
rails, balusters, and similar devices or structures.

Respiratory disease – Phlegm produced by colds, bronchial infections and other respiratory
diseases can accumulate and block the airway.

Faulty or poorly maintained breathing aids – Breathing tubes and oxygen tank tubes can become obstructed if
not properly maintained. Oxygen tanks must be filled regularly.

Drug side effects – Some medications cause dry mouth or other side effects which make
it difficult to swallow or breathe.

Bedrail Injuries/Deaths

Another type of choking-related incident that occurs in nursing homes is
that residents may get caught between the rails of their bed. Patients
have died by getting their head stuck and not being helped in time. The
law requires that a doctor write an order for bedrails when they are used
to restrain a patient. So, the use of bed rails is often not questioned,
and people mistakenly believe they are an effective safety mechanism.

A common injury associated with bedrails occurs when the patient climbs
over the bedrails and falls to the floor.

When residents attempt to climb over the restraints, they may get suspended
in the restraint and suffer any of the following:

Chest compression

Strangulation

Asphyxiation

Death

Bedrail entrapment is a very serious problem.

If you live in the Arizona area and have lost a loved one due to a choking
incident in a nursing home, we are here to help. Our law firm includes
attorneys are also doctors who know how to fight for your rights and get
the compensation you deserve.

Families We've Helped

"We knew these would be lifelong issues for our son. You have to advocate for your kids because no one else will do it. Cullan & Cullan knew what was going on and we knew they would be successful in helping us."

"If your child is damaged or you think your child is damaged, you should seek a lawyer. Having a doctor-lawyer on my side really gave me hope."

"My child had permanent paralysis in her left arm and no one gave us a straight answer on how bad it actually was. We needed lawyers who understood the medical side of this case and hiring the Cullan brothers gave us the attention we needed."

"Joe and Pat came to meet me helped me fight my case. I was who they cared about and I felt so important with the Cullan brothers."

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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